It is a requirement that all students who attend Wakatipu High School bring a device to school to assist with their learning.
Learning with ICT
Digital technology has a vital role in teaching and learning at Wakatipu High School. As a BYOD school we actively encourage our students to use digital technology confidently and competently by learning how to keep themselves safe online and manage challenges and issues.
Digital technology has a vital role in teaching and learning at Wakatipu High School. As a BYOD school we actively encourage our students to use digital technology confidently and competently by learning how to keep themselves safe online and manage challenges and issues.
Here are some links to useful information and resources for students and parent around the safe and responsible use of digital devices and online spaces.
Why BYOD?
WHS recognises the role eLearning plays in upholding our vision in a rapidly changing world. The change in access to new technologies penetrates all aspects of society with the way people work, communicate and relate to each other. WHS identifies that the teaching and learning environment has to keep abreast with societal changes.
BYOD will allow all students to learn in ways that are not possible in a traditional classroom. The key drivers for change are:
How to get a device
There are a number of options families have available to obtain a device.
Financial Support
WHS operates the Āwhina Fund, the Māori word for 'help'. This fund is designed to assist families cover the costs of almost any aspect of school including 'BYOD' devices. Please note that BYOD funding may be either 50% or 100% - if the school funds the BYOD device fully, the laptop remains school property and must be handed back when the student leaves school or no longer needs it.
If you feel that you require financial support, please fill out the form below or contact a Guidance Counsellor, to arrange a confidential meeting. During this meeting you will be given the options that are available for support.
WHS recognises the role eLearning plays in upholding our vision in a rapidly changing world. The change in access to new technologies penetrates all aspects of society with the way people work, communicate and relate to each other. WHS identifies that the teaching and learning environment has to keep abreast with societal changes.
BYOD will allow all students to learn in ways that are not possible in a traditional classroom. The key drivers for change are:
- Connectedness - ‘edgeless’ education, connected minds
- Ubiquity - anywhere, anytime, any pace, any device learning
- Agency - the ‘power to act’ - informed/empowered/enabled learners
How to get a device
There are a number of options families have available to obtain a device.
- Families may have a suitable device already or have the ability to purchase a suitable device from any supplier either online or in store.
- Families may use finance options available to them in store.
- We recognise that not all families may be in a position to provide a suitable device for learning. It is possible for families to access our Āwhina Fund for financial support.
Financial Support
WHS operates the Āwhina Fund, the Māori word for 'help'. This fund is designed to assist families cover the costs of almost any aspect of school including 'BYOD' devices. Please note that BYOD funding may be either 50% or 100% - if the school funds the BYOD device fully, the laptop remains school property and must be handed back when the student leaves school or no longer needs it.
If you feel that you require financial support, please fill out the form below or contact a Guidance Counsellor, to arrange a confidential meeting. During this meeting you will be given the options that are available for support.
Device Selection
Wakatipu High School recommends WINDOWS devices as the preferred device type for effective operation on the WHS WiFi network. Our network equipment experiences some interference from Airport Radar and we find that Windows devices are less problematic on our network than MAC devices.
Please note that Chromebooks are not supported devices and are not compatible with the WHS WiFi.
Please note that Chromebooks are not supported devices and are not compatible with the WHS WiFi.
Recommended Specifications
These are more suitable for students with specific subject needs and ensuring longevity of the device for the student’s school career.
These are more suitable for students with specific subject needs and ensuring longevity of the device for the student’s school career.
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Recommended Specifications |
Form Factor |
Laptop (no tablets) |
Screen Dimensions |
13 inch or greater |
Processor |
Minimum i5 or Ryzen 5 |
Operating System |
Windows 10 or 11 Mac OS Ventura |
Browser |
Google Chrome |
Wifi |
Dual band 802.11ac + 5Ghz |
Battery Life |
10+ hours |
Ram and Solid State HD |
168GB RAM |
Subject-Specific Specifications
We have made the decision to be able to operate all of our classes using both Windows and Mac platforms. For some software, Wakatipu High School has site licenses which extend to student devices, however, this is not the case for all software.
In addition to the specifications listed above, these higher specifications are strongly recommended for students studying any of the below option subjects:
We have made the decision to be able to operate all of our classes using both Windows and Mac platforms. For some software, Wakatipu High School has site licenses which extend to student devices, however, this is not the case for all software.
In addition to the specifications listed above, these higher specifications are strongly recommended for students studying any of the below option subjects:
- Visual Arts
- Design
- Photography
- Media Studies
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Higher Specifications |
Processor |
i7 or Ryzen 7+ Best |
Operating System Windows |
Microsoft Windows 10 or 11 with all current updates (please make sure you have the full version of Windows) |
Operating System MAC |
macOS (Ventura or higher) |
RAM |
16 GB recommended anything higher better |
Hard Drive |
250GB SSD Recommended / 512GB SSD Best |
Graphics Card |
Built in Graphics card ideally (or Ryzen 5 or 7 processors) |
Screen Dimensions |
13 inch or greater |
While we don't endorse any specific supplier, we're here to help make things easier for you. If you require financial assistance to purchase a device, you may want to explore the finance options and payments available through providers like Noel Leeming and Cyclone (byod.cyclone.co.nz). If you need any support with purchasing a device, please feel free to reach out to the school
All Years: Other Useful Information
- Microsoft Office: Microsoft office is available as a free download on up to 5 personal devices for enrolled students through the Office 365 Student Advantage programme. NB: This software will run on Windows PC, Mac OS X, iOS and some Android devices but not Chromebooks.
- Robustness: Your device should be strong enough to survive a fall onto a hard surface. You should strongly consider carrying your device in a protective sleeve or case.
- Anti-virus software: For Windows PC and Mac OS X devices anti-virus and anti-spyware software is recommended to protect the data on the device.
- Weight: Should be light enough to carry around all day. NB: anything more than 2.5kg including the case might be too heavy.
- Headphones: We advise that you purchase headphones so you are able to access media during class without disturbing others.
- Insurance: While we take care to protect students’ property, we cannot accept responsibility for devices damaged, lost or stolen, so make sure it is covered for these possibilities under either your home contents insurance or through a specific policy bought with the device.
- Life span: Due to factors such as battery life and warranty, it will probably be necessary to purchase two devices during a student’s five years at WHS.
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